U.S. FORCES FIRE HELLFIRE MISSILES AT SHIP HEADING TOWARD IRAN, CENTCOM SAYS

U.S. Central Command reported that American forces disabled the steering gear of the Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova after the vessel disregarded repeated warnings and moved toward an Iranian port in violation of a U.S. Blockade. A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the ship's engine room, halting its progress toward Iran. According to CENTCOM, since reinforcing the blockade, U.S. Forces have redirected 55 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two in enforcement efforts.